3) Character Guide,containing a fairly complete list of the characters, both canon and original, who appear in Resolving a Misunderstanding, and a brief description of who they are (there are additional character guides for Death’s Dominion and A Long Vernal Season; links to them can be found in the sidebar of my blog);

III: Albus Reflects 4 July 1957; October 1937.Summary: Albus reflects on his relationship with his new Transfiguration teacher and how he came to know her years before. We learn about Minerva’s first supper with Professor Dumbledore. (Includes ffnet chapters 5 – 7.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 8334

IV: More McGonagalls February 1957.Summary: We join Minerva as she visits her childhood home early one Saturday morning in February during her first term teaching, and meet Egeria, Merwyn, Murdoch, and Melina for the first time. (FFnet chapter 8.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey
Word Count: 4177

V: Madam Puddifoot’s and a Complicated Situation February 1957.Summary: Minerva and Poppy meet at Madam Puddifoot’s and give her niece some advice. We first learn of Brennan in this chapter. We get a glimpse of Minerva’s feelings about Gertrude at the end of the chapter. (Includes ffnet chapters 9 – 10.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey
Word Count: 5885

PART TWO

VI: Spero et ExpectoLate autumn 1940.Summary: Minerva remembers how, in her fifth year, she began to get to know Professor Dumbledore beyond his role as her Transfiguration teacher. She sees Albus in his Muggle uniform for the first time, and they have cocoa in the Hogwarts kitchen. (FFnet chapter 11.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 3754

VII: Chez Albus Early winter 1940.Summary: Minerva sees a new side to her Transfiguration teacher after he returns from one of his mysterious trips for the Ministry; they have supper in the Transfiguration classroom. We first meet Wilspy. (FFnet chapter 12.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 3651

VIII: Minerva’s Project Late spring 1941.Summary: Minerva recalls how Albus proposed a special project at the end of her fifth year, and she agrees to begin training to become an Animagus. We first see Albus’s nom-de-plume, “Apiarus B. White.” (Includes ffnet chapters 13 – 14.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 3427

IX: A Father Worried, A Father Reassured Summer 1941.Summary: Minerva begins preparing for her upcoming Animagus training, and her father has concerns about it. Merwyn and Albus meet in the Three Broomsticks to discuss Minerva’s training. Merwyn teases Minerva about “unrequited love.” (Includes ffnet chapters 15 – 16.)
Word Count: 3161

XI: The Special Project Late summer 1941.Summary: Minerva has an unusual discussion with Professor Dumbledore as they picnic by the lake, and he tells her about a problem at Hogwarts and how she might be able to help. He tells her about the wards and why he was originally asked to join the Hogwarts staff. (FFnet chapter 20.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 4314

XII: An Unexpected Arrival Late summer through early winter 1941.Summary: Minerva agrees to help Dumbledore with the wards; she comes of age, Abus gives her a very old copy of The Book of Taliesin, and her sixth-year Animagus training is interrupted by the arrival of “It” after an accident in the Transfiguration classroom. (Includes ffnet chapters 21 – 22.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 4327

PART THREE

XIII: Lunch in the Great Hall 4 July 1957.Summary: Minerva sees Albus during lunch, and neither of them speaks of what he overheard her say earlier that day. Gertrude Gamp tells Minerva she should take a holiday, and she’ll feel “right as rain.” First actual appearance of Gertrude Gamp. (FFnet chapter 23.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey, Rubeus Hagrid, Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank
Word Count: 2943

XIV: To Train a House-Elf 4 July 1957; early winter 1941.Summary: Minerva tries to teach her house-elf a few new things, then lies down for a nap. As she falls asleep, she remembers one of her first successes in her Animagus training. (Includes ffnet chapters 24 – 25.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 6595

XV: A Success Early winter 1941.Summary: Minerva has another success in her Animagus training and finds something odd during her Prefect Patrol that night; we meet Carson Murphy for the first time. (FFnet chapter 26.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 3499

PART FOUR

XVII: Minerva’s Mission 5 January 1945.Summary: Minerva recalls a mission she undertook for the Ministry after she left Hogwarts. We learn what job Minerva had been assigned when she first began working for the Ministry; we also see a few Muggles, including Churchill. (FFnet chapter 29.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Rufus Scrimgeour
Word Count: 4132

XIX: Waiting 5 January 1945.Summary: As Minerva prepares to leave on her rescue mission, she thinks back on her friendship with Carson, and their brief romantic involvement. She also is displeased with the Ministry’s plans for her journey and makes her displeasure clear. (Includes ffnet chapters 31 – 32.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Rufus Scrimgeour
Word Count: 7793

XX: Hiding 5 January 1945.Summary: Dealing with his own injuries, Albus struggles to help a grievously wounded young Auror (Carson Murphy) and to keep his own dark thoughts at bay. Carson writes letters to his parents and to Minerva. (Includes ffnet chapter 33 – 34.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 6215

XXIII: Escaping 5 January 1945.Summary: Danger closes in as Minerva tries to find a way for them to escape. She discovers that Frankel was able to leave her Portkey for her to find. Albus and Minerva escape in the nick of time as Grindelwald’s wizards close in. (FFnet chapter 37.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 2768

XXIV: A Missent Missive September 1945.Summary: The McGonagalls receive an unusual letter from Minerva, accidentally sent to them by the Ministry. (Ordered differently on ffnet & the board; ffnet chapter 39.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 2090

XXVI: A Lovely Sight to Behold 4 July 1957; early July 1942.Summary: Albus remembers a warm summer’s day in Edinburgh when he unexpectedly encountered Minerva and little Melina in the middle of wizarding McTavish Street. (FFnet chapter 40.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 3344

XXVII: Pleasurable Anticipation 4 July 1957; early December 1941 through mid-January 1942Summary: Minerva anticipates breakfast with Albus and remembers the immediate aftermath of her accident in the Transfiguration classroom, being brought to the infirmary, and what Madam Valentius told her. (FFnet chapter 41.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 4845

XXVIII: A Bright Morning 5 July 1957.Summary: Minerva and Albus each wake up on a particularly cheerful Saturday morning and look forward to a special breakfast. Minerva remembers some of her early attempts to rid herself of her inconvenient feelings for Professor Dumbledore. (Includes ffnet chapters 42 – 43.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey
Word Count: 8980

XXIX: Breakfast with Albus, Breakfast with Minerva 5 July 1957.Summary: Albus and Minerva have breakfast and Minerva has her opportunity to apologise properly; Poppy drops by. We learn that Minerva’s middle name is “Morag,” and she dislikes it. She receives an unexpected invitation to the Gamps. (Includes ffnet chapters 44 – 46.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey
Word Count: 10085

XXXV: Hagrid 5 July 1957; mid-June 1942.Summary: Before paying Hagrid a visit, Minerva remembers the end of her sixth year. The Chamber of Secrets was opened, Myrtle began haunting Olive Hornby, and a certain prefect (Tom Riddle) helped Headmaster Dippet apprehend the culprit in the attacks. Hagrid is expelled and his wand broken, but Professor Dumbledore arranges for him to become the assistant groundskeeper. (FFnet chapter 53.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Aragog, Armando Dippet, Minerva McGonagall, Rubeus Hagrid, Tom Riddle
Word Count: 6100

PART SEVEN

XXXVI: Dinner and Dessert 5 July 1957.Summary: Albus returns to his office, where he finds things not quite as he left them. Minerva admits that she saw the lists on his desk. Albus brings Minerva on an impromptu visit to Diagon Alley for dessert. Fawkes present in this chapter. (FFnet chapter 54.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 4465

XXXVIII: Requests 6 July 1957.
Summary: Albus makes some requests of Minerva, including his initial suggestion that she consider becoming Gryffindor’s Head of House; they visit the Transfiguration classroom and Albus explains why he had given Minerva a different classroom. (FFnet chapter 56.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Rubeus Hagrid
Word Count: 3541

PART EIGHT

XXXIX: A Startling Revelation 8 July 1957.Summary: Minerva and Albus share a lovely breakfast before she sets off for Cornwall. Her first morning there is filled with surprising revelations, including that Gertrude had once been married and lived in Berlin with her husband, who was one of Grindelwald’s first victims, and that a few years ago, Albus had been involved with Valerianna Crouch Yaxley. Minerva and Gertrude run into Cormac Quinlivan MacAirt on their return to the house. (FFnet chapter 57.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 10930
XL: Horrid Relatives 8 July 1957.Summary: Minerva gets to know a few of the other guests at the Gamps, including Valerianna and her escort, Francis Flint. She is seated next to Quin during lunch. (FFnet chapter 58.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 3620

XLI: Down the Garden Path 8 July 1957.Summary: Minerva gets a garden tour . . . and a little bit more. She talks with Quin, who tells her more about Gertie and about himself. Reveals he first saw her at Carson’s funeral and again at her Challenge; he calls her “la grande dame de la Metamorphosis.” (FFnet chapter 59.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 3421

XLIII: Doubt and Comfort 8 July 1957.Summary: Minerva returns to her room, ponders the reason Gertie may have invited her to this gathering, and relaxes with Albus’s gift. (FFnet chapter 61.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 3702

XLIV: An Early Breakfast and an Owl 9 July 1957.Summary: Minerva has an early call for breakfast, an owl from Poppy, an encounter with some of the other guests, and a conversation with Gertrude that irritates and puzzles her. (FFnet chapter 62.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey
Word Count: 7554

XLVI: More Relatives 9 July 1957.Summary: After responding to Poppy’s letter, Minerva meets a surprising relative of Gertie’s, Robert Crouch, and has another chat with Quin. She learns more about Gertrude and her family, and something about Albus’s relationship with them. (FFnet chapter 64.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey
Word Count: 4591

XLVII: Dinner and Divination 9 July 1957.Summary: Minerva spends a pleasant evening with Quin and then hears some things that she would rather not hear when he practices a little MacAirt divination for her. (FFnet chapter 65.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Bartimus Crouch, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 6918

XLVIII: Lessons in Letter-Writing 10 July 1957.Summary: Minerva learns an important lesson, and Albus writes another letter. We learn that Albus keeps photographs of Minerva in a drawer in the desk in his private study. We also learn that Minerva’s Transfiguration Master under whom she apprenticed was Gerhardt Sachs of Heidelberg. (FFnet chapter 66.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey
Word Count: 8312

XLIX: Games at the Gamps 10 July 1957.Summary: Minerva shares a lesson with Gertrude and Quin: “Never cover your head with a pillow when a house-elf is talking to you.” She spends her morning engaged in more vigorous activity than she had planned and sees Gertrude in a new light when the older witch is Beater for the pick-up Quidditch game. (Includes ffnet chapters 67.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Bartimus Crouch, Druella (Rosier) Black, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 4193

LII: Shall We Dance? 10 July 1957.Summary: Minerva has several interesting dance partners, including a few unexpected ones, Valerianna has her say, and Quin lends his assistance, all while Albus spends a quiet night at Hogwarts, contemplating his relationships, particularly that with Minerva. (FFnet chapter 70.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Bellatrix Lestrange, Druella (Rosier) Black, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 7107

LIII: The End of the Party 10 July 1957.Summary: Minerva talks with Gertrude about why the older witch invited her to visit that week and about what Valerianna said to her there on the balcony, then returns to the party with Quin. (FFnet chapter 71.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 7343

LIV: Breakfast al Fresco 11 July 1957.Summary: Minerva has one last breakfast with Quin before Apparating back to Hogwarts and Albus. Quin gives her a lot to think about when he provides a kind of “mirror” of her true desire. (FFnet chapter 72.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 6182

PART NINE

LV: Return to Hogwarts 11 July 1957.Summary: Minerva returns to Hogwarts, and Albus has a surprise for her. When showing her the landscape he hung in her bedroom, Albus pretends to see the photograph of himself for the first time, and he offers to provide Minerva with a better picture than the little one cut from the newspaper. (FFnet chapter 73.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 5346

LVI: A Conspiracy of Witches 11 July 1957.Summary: Minerva visits Poppy, who informs her of a secret conspiracy, led by Gertrude, to enlighten Albus about Valerianna’s true character. Back at Hogwarts, Albus connects up Minerva’s new landscape to the Silent Knight’s portrait and reflects on his relationship with Valerianna. (FFnet chapter 74.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 7414

LVII: Hot, Cold, and Tepid 11 July 1957.Summary: Minerva returns to Hogwarts and gives Albus his gift. His behaviour has her puzzled. She decides that, rather than moping about the castle hoping to see Albus, she will visit her parents for the weekend. (FFnet chapter 75.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey
Word Count: 3271

LVIII: The Comforts of Home 12 July 1957.
Summary: Albus wakes up to find Minerva has left him a brief note telling him that she is visiting her parents. Minerva has a restful night and a lovely morning and decides to visit her Great-uncle Perseus and his wife, who attended Hogwarts with Albus. Merwyn remembers Minerva’s Side-Along with Dumbledore, and how he and Egeria suspected Minerva’s feelings, of which she herself was as yet unaware. (FFnet chapter 76.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 6344

LIX: Mistakes and Misunderstandings 12 July 1957; mid-January 1945.
Summary: Albus visits the McGonagalls, and Merwyn shows him the letter Minerva wrote them in 1945 before she left on her rescue mission. Albus remembers bringing Carson’s letter to Minerva, and how his reaction to her attempts to comfort him created a distance between them. (FFnet chapter 77.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 3673

LX: The Magic of Memory 12 July 1957; 1858 – 1860.Summary: Albus reads Minerva’s letter to her parents, written back in January 1945, and spends the rest of the afternoon with the McGonagalls. Minerva returns from visiting her Great-uncle Perseus. She has learned something interesting about Albus. When she asks him about it, he tells her of Dervilia and of another incident which occurred shortly thereafter. (FFnet chapter 78.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 7152

PART TEN

LXI: An Owl from St. Mungo’s 13 July 1957.Summary: Minerva returns to Hogwarts and Albus; an emergency owl arrives from St. Mungo’s informing Albus that Pretnick, the Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher, was bitten by a werewolf. (FFnet chapter 79.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 7084

LXII: To Be of Assistance 13 July 1957.Summary: Minerva assists Dumbledore while he is at St. Mungo’s, owling the staff to request their presence at an emergency meeting the next morning. (FFnet chapter 80.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 5016

LXIII: Tasseomancy 13 – 14 July 1957.Summary: Slughorn returns to the castle and meets with Dumbledore, who asks him about what progress Belby has made on a potion for werewolves. Filius Flitwick, the new Charms teacher, arrives at Hogwarts. Minerva has early morning tea with Albus before the emergency staff meeting and argues with him about his desire to have Pretnick continue as Defence teacher despite being a werewolf. (FFnet chapter 81 – 82.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Filius Flitwick, Horace Slughorn, Minerva McGonagall, Rubeus Hagrid
Word Count: 9606

LXIV: Debate and Dissension 14 July 1957.Summary: The staff meets to discuss the current situation with the Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor; most are opposed to allowing Pretnick to return to teaching; Minerva finds herself with a new duty as Dumbledore’s representative on the committee to discuss a solution for Pretnick. (FFnet chapter 83.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Filius Flitwick, Horace Slughorn, Minerva McGonagall, Professor Binns, Rubeus Hagrid, Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank
Word Count: 3398

LXVI: Many Meetings 14 July 1957.Summary: Minerva talks with Poppy and disabuses her of a peculiar notion that just entered her head, meets with Albus, and has a somewhat awkward conversation with Wilhelmina about when her relationship with Hagrid began. She is relieved to learn that Hagrid was in his twenties when their affair began. Fawkes appears in this chapter. (FFnet chapter 85.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey, Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank
Word Count: 11006

PART ELEVEN

LXVII: An Escort in Dark Places 14 July 1957.Summary: Albus enlists the help of the Silent Knight, and Minerva has a nice surprise at the end of her long day. Albus introduces Minerva to the Headmaster’s stair from his quarters to the seventh floor. (FFnet chapter 86.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey
Word Count: 5384

LXVIII: A Date for Minerva 15 July 1957.Summary: Minerva goes on a date . . . but doesn’t know it. She goes to the restaurant with Filius, but then returns to join Albus for a cup of chamomile tea in his rooms. They have another walk down his backstair, but this time, he escorts her all of the way to her rooms. (FFnet chapter 87.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Filius Flitwick, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey
Word Count: 5837

LXIX: None But the Two 16 July 1957.Summary: Minerva spends the day in London, visiting Pretnick at St. Mungo’s and then going to Diagon Alley, where she unexpectedly meets Quin; they have lunch at the Leaky Cauldron. They have coffee at Fortescue’s, where they join Albus, who had gone to the ice cream parlour rather than the Leaky Cauldron after having seen the two together there. (FFnet chapter 88.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 6400

LXX: Forever in the Sun 20 July 1957.Summary: Albus comes to some new conclusions about how he should interact with Minerva, and Minerva has company on her morning walk. When she and Albus go over the wall, she transforms into her tabby form, and she cuddles with Albus. (FFnet chapter 89.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy Pomfrey
Word Count: 3771

LXXI: If This Were a Date . . . 20 July 1957.Summary: Minerva and Albus have their picnic breakfast, he alludes to the defeat of Grindelwald, indicating he will tell her of it someday, then Albus helps Melina introduce Brennan to the wizarding world; Minerva and Albus go on an unexpected outing that evening. (FFnet chapter 90.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 6905

LXXII: Not a Date 20 July 1957.Summary: Minerva and Albus spend an evening together, during which Minerva learns something new about Albus when they encounter a Gypsy selling flowers. Albus buys a single red rose for Minerva and places it in her hair. At the end of the evening, Albus does something unexpected, suddenly handing her his wand. (FFnet chapter 91.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 6157

PART TWELVE

LXXIII: A Tale of Two Wands 21 July 1957.Summary: After asking her about her wand, and Minerva describing her trip to Ollivander’s when she was eleven, Albus tell Minerva an interesting story about mated wands, and Minerva learns that their wands are mates, which is something different from and rarer than brother wands. (FFnet chapter 92.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Mr. Ollivander
Word Count: 7654

LXXIV: Ever Green 21 July 1957.Summary: Minerva and Albus have breakfast; she learns more about her wand from him, and later that day, Johannes tells her about the characteristics of magical ivy, which is the wood from which her own wand is made. (FFnet chapter 93.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 8651

LXXV: Collision 22 July 1957.Summary: Minerva informs Dumbledore of her decision to accept the position as Head of Gryffindor, but before she does that, she stumbles into something she doesn’t understand. This leads to uncomfortable, jealous feelings on her part, then inadvertently causing more than one person some pain. She wonders when she had become so self-absorbed and recognises another negative effect of “It” on her life. Johannes relates how his entire family was killed by Grindelwald. (FFnet chapter 94.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Filius Flitwick, Minerva McGonagall, Rubeus Hagrid, Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank
Word Count: 13003

LXXVI: A Most Pleasant Disturbance 22 July 1957.Summary: Minerva joins a few colleagues for drinks, apologises to Gertrude, decides to try to see her as an individual apart from her envy and jealousy, then makes a detour on her way back to her rooms. She learns that Albus has a special charm that allows him, whenever he is in his office or his rooms, to know when the gargoyle opens the stairway to someone. Minerva tells Albus that she could feel that charm when she was sitting at his desk, which is the focal point of the charm. A very sleepy Albus says a second “good night” to Minerva, giving her a lingering kiss on the forehead. (FFnet chapter 95.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 4482

LXXVII: Impulse 23 July 1957.Summary: Memories recent and distant, and impulses held in check and those acted on, occupy Minerva’s mind. When she doesn’t deny her impulse to daydream about Albus, she accidentally spills her tea in her lap at a most inopportune moment. She recalls what Dumbledore told her about staunching her magical drain after her accident during her sixth year. She takes a walk in her Animagus form and falls asleep in a tree. (FFnet chapter 96.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 5882

LXXVIII: Meeting Morag 23 July 1957.Summary: A nap and an interrupted dream lead to an unexpected encounter with a Ministry official, which puts Minerva in an awkward position to hear what Minister Yaxley thinks are private comments to the Headmaster. Wilspy makes Minerva take a shower in the Headmaster’s bathroom, then she brings her a most inappropriate robe to wear in the middle of the day in the middle of Hogwarts, embarrassing Minerva. Minerva takes a trip down the backstairs with Albus. (FFnet chapter 97.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 8234

LXXIX: Jeremiah was a Jarvey 23 July 1957.Summary: Minerva joins other staff in their visit to Hagrid’s insulting Jarvey, who swears like a drunken Auror; she receives an invitation from Quin to meet for dinner that evening, then meets Albus to discuss Pretnick’s position and her return from holiday before the Hogwarts ward renewal. She tries to persuade Albus to join her and Quin for dinner; he declines. (FFnet chapter 98.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Rubeus Hagrid, Wilhelmina Grubbly-Plank
Word Count: 4889

LXXX: An Evening in Hogsmeade 23 July 1957.Summary: Minerva meets Quin for dinner; she learns how Gertrude’s husband died. Quin tries to ask about her relationship with Albus, but she refuses to talk about it, indicating that she might at some other time, however. (FFnet chapter 99.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 4415

LXXXI: Disarming Minerva 23 July 1957.Summary: An unusual strategy has Minerva dropping her guard. Minerva drops by to see Albus when she returns from her dinner with Quin. She and Albus play chess, and he wins with an unusual strategy. (FFnet chapter 100.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 4255

LXXXII: Silly Wizard 23 – 24 July 1957.Summary: Albus makes a change. Albus shortens his hair and rids himself of his beard and mustache. When Wilspy sees him, she makes a few choice remarks. When Minerva sees him, she is speechless at first, but then tells him she preferred him with the long hair and beard. Albus says it was merely a particularly strong Glamour, and since neither she nor Wilspy like his new look, he would return to his usual appearance. (FFnet chapter 101.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall
Word Count: 3724

PART THIRTEEN

LXXXIII: Family Time 24 July 1957.Summary: Minerva spends some time with her mother and father, imparting the news of her new position at Hogwarts, and learning a few things of interest from her father about Gertrude’s late husband. Merwyn also makes some observations about Albus and Minerva’s relationship with him. (FFnet chapter 102.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 5908

LXXXIV: Mates 24 July 1957.Summary: Minerva and Melina talk. Melina tells her aunt that she and Brennan will be marrying in August. She persuades Minerva to help her look at flats that coming Saturday. Later, Minerva learns more about mated wands from two books, including a floridly written tome by Aloysius Prewett. (FFnet chapter 103.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 7760

LXXXV: Plans 24 – 25 July 1957.Summary: Minerva writes some letters and has breakfast with her parents. She invites Gertrude, Johannes, Poppy, Quin, Melina and Brennan, and Murdoch, Malcolm, and Morgan and his wife, to tea on Sunday. She redesigns the Egidius seal to personalise it. Her father tells Minerva he found the Prewett book “fascinating.” (FFnet chapter 104.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 4609

LXXXVI: A Mother’s Trust 25 July 1957.Summary: Minerva and her mother have a long talk. Egeria tries to prod Minerva to draw conclusions about her life and her relationship with Albus. (FFnet chapter 105.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 5439

LXXXVII: Of Altruism and Magical Accidents 25 July 1957.Summary: Egeria gives Minerva the letters that Albus wrote to the McGonagalls in December 1941, after Minerva’s magical accident, and explains to her daughter the nature of a magical drain and the love that is required to staunch it instinctively. (FFnet chapter 106.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 4527

LXXXIX: A Perfect Flat 27 July 1957.Summary: Minerva, Melina, and Quin look at the two flats he has to let in Edinburgh. The second one, an entire house, Melina finds “perfect.” Quin invites Minerva to lunch at his home in London, and Minerva decides she will talk to him about Albus. (FFnet chapter 108.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 3629

XC: A Confidant 27 July 1957.Summary: Minerva and Quin have lunch together at his place. Minerva takes Quin into her confidence. He helps her find a birthday present for Albus. (FFnet chapter 109.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 6246

XCI: Hope, Suspect 27 -28 July 1957.Summary: Minerva shows her mother the robes she bought for Albus, and is pleased with her reaction. She contemplates her relationship with Albus and her feelings for him, and writes him a letter. (FFnet chapter 110.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 4993

XCII: Expectations and Arrivals 28 July 1957.Summary: Albus responds immediately to Minerva’s owl, and he agrees to have dinner with her on the first. Minerva prepares for her tea, and the guests begin to arrive. We meet Malcolm, Minerva’s oldest brother and self-described “miscreant.” (FFnet chapter 111.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore and Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 6348

XCIII: Tea Party on the Ceiling 28 July 1957.Summary: Minerva’s guests have all arrived, and her tea party gets started, though it doesn’t go precisely as she had planned. Malcolm entertains with his stories. (FFnet chapter 112.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, and Poppy PomfreyWord Count: 7116

XCIV: Poppy and Potions 28 July 1957.Summary: Minerva is surprised to hear that Poppy is interested in her brother Murdoch, and later has a conversation with Gertrude. Quin again gives Minerva a few encouraging words before he leaves for London. Malcolm continues to puzzle Minerva. (FFnet chapter 113.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, and Poppy PomfreyWord Count: 6769

PART FOURTEEN

XCV: Home Again 29 – 31 July 1957.Summary: Minerva tries to find things to distract her before she returns to Hogwarts. She returns on Wednesday and meets with Albus and makes plans to have lunch with him. (FFnet chapter 114.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, and Poppy PomfreyWord Count: 5092

XCVI: Not to Be Tolerated 31 July 1957.Summary: Albus tries to concentrate on his work, then nap, but his thoughts are filled with Minerva. Later, he and Minerva have lunch, then they begin preparations for her move to Gryffindor Tower. We first meet the lecherous portrait of Eliphelet Longbottom. (FFnet chapter 115.) (This is the chapter that ties-in with the one-shot “Obliging Minerva.”)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall; Dilys Derwent & Phineas Nigellus Black (portraits)Word Count: 4135

XCVII: Happy Birthday, Albus 1 August 1957.Summary: Minerva moves into her new quarters in Gryffindor Tower then surprises Albus for his birthday. He is astounded by her gift, but accepts it graciously, and tells her that he hasn’t had such a nice birthday in many years. (FFnet chapter 116.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 11377

XCVIII: Warding 2 August 1957.Summary: Minerva has a surprise visitor in the middle of the night. She wakes from a lovely dream in the morning. Later, she observes part of the warding, then she has lunch with Albus and the other faculty. Before Dustern leaves Hogwarts for the last time, she has some final words for Minerva and angers Gertrude. (FFnet chapter 117.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Horace Slughorn, Wilhelmina Grubbly-PlankWord Count: 7936

XCIX: Head of Gryffindor 2 August 1957.Summary: Minerva shows Gertrude her rooms. Gertrude tells Minerva that not only does Albus have a copy of the same picture he gave her, but he has two others of her, as well. Minerva is installed as Head of Gryffindor. (FFnet chapter 118.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Horace Slughorn, Wilhelmina Grubbly-PlankWord Count: 6651

C: Touring Hogwarts 3 August 1957.Summary: Minerva gives a tour of Hogwarts to Quin then has tea with him in her rooms. He asks her some questions about Malcolm, and Minerva tells him about the birthday celebration and how “fond” of her Albus is. (FFnet chapter 119.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 6267

PART FIFTEEN

CI: The Tale of a Young Wizard 3 August 1957; 1849 – 1861.Summary: Quin has a talk with Albus and tries to hint to him that Minerva has her eye on a wizard, hoping he will realise it is he. Albus and Minerva have dinner in his suite and Albus begins telling her something of his past. (FFnet chapter 120.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 5036

CII: The Sorrows of a Young Wizard 3 – 4 August 1957; 1860 – 1866.Summary: Darkness falls over the life of young Albus. Albus continues to tell Minerva of his youth, he relates his guilt and despair at his mother’s death, his decline, and how a chance encounter with some Roma began to lead him from the darkness in which he found himself. (FFnet chapter 121.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Gellert Grindelwald, Nicolas and Perenelle FlamelWord Count: 5616

CIII: Defeating Darkness 4 August 1957; 1866 – 1945.Summary: Darkness may seem formless, but it can take many guises. Albus tells Minerva of his recovery from despair, his sojourn with Master Nyima and Mother Dragon, his travels back to Europe, Fawkes joining him, and his welcome by the Flamels. He then tells her of his quiet years after returning to Britain and how he acquired his new wand. Finally, he tells her of how he defeated Grindelwald and at what emotional cost. (FFnet chapter 122.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Gellert Grindelwald, Rufus Scrimgeour, Alastor Moody, Nicolas & Perenelle FlamelWord Count: 8425

PART SIXTEEN

CV: A Werewolf’s End 4 August 1957.Summary: Albus and Minerva have a very pleasant lunch; at Minerva’s urging, he has a little fun in his Animagus form, and then the day is changed when they receive word that Professor Pretnick is dead. Albus leaves the school and Gertrude returns. She and Minerva talk while waiting for Albus to return, and even share a chuckle. (FFnet chapter 124.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 8104

CVI: Reverberations 4 August 1957.Summary: Minerva and Albus discuss the warding and discover that Minerva experiences some peculiar effects when the wards are passed to her in the traditional manner. Later they read Professor Pretnick’s letter. Their heightened emotions do not lead to easy conversation, and Minerva leaves, distressed. (FFnet chapter 125.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 7940

CVIII: In Memoriam5 – 6 August 1957.Summary: Albus and Minerva deliver Pretnick’s letter to his family. His informal memorial service at Hogwarts is the following day. Albus and Minerva spend some time together. (FFnet chapter 127.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 9778

CIX: Holiday from Hogwarts 7-9 August 1957.Summary: Minerva resumes her holiday. She visits Murdoch in his apothecary and discovers that Poppy is also there and has been seeing Murdoch regularly. Later, she spends time with her niece then has dinner with her and Brennan. The next day, she has an interesting conversation with Malcolm when he arrives for dinner at the house. (FFnet chapter 128.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Poppy PomfreyWord Count: 7559

CXIV: His Lady’s Servant 13 August 1957.Summary: Minerva returns to Hogwarts castle in the morning and encounters Albus, who expresses displeasure at her return. Later, Albus writes Minerva an apology, but his owl returns with the letter undelivered.The Silent Knight serves his mistress as well as he knows how, and does not announce or admit Albus. He draws his sword and vows to sacrifice his life to defend his lady. Albus, believing that Minerva gave the Knight orders not to admit him, goes away unhappily.
Albus also has a conversation with Malcolm, inviting him to apply for the Defence position. Malcolm thinks it’s an odd idea, but he will think about it. (FFnet chapter 133.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 9546

CXV: Questionable Intentions 14 August 1957.Summary: Albus arrives at Minerva’s rooms to check on her when she is late to lunch after not having taken her lunch or dinner in the staff room the previous day. The Silent Knight sends Fidelio to announce Albus, still suspicious of the “powerful magician,” as he calls him. Albus apologises, and Minerva tearfully accepts his apology. Albus learns that Minerva did not refuse his owl, but that she had been sleeping deeply after taking a Headache Potion, and she had not specifically requested that the Knight ban him from her rooms, but merely asked not to be disturbed. She had been unaware of his previous visit. As they speak, Albus reaches for her and holds her in his arms. When Minerva’s emotions overwhelm her, and she kisses him, he, believing that he initiated the kiss, leaps away, appalled by his behaviour. Minerva is unable to find him anywhere in the castle and takes a run in the Forbidden Forest to burn off her excess energy and emotion. (FFnet chapter 134.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 7711

CXVI: Seeking Solace 14 – 15 August 1957.Summary: Minerva Apparates to Quin’s, where he is stunned to see her arrive in such a state. He cares for her, cleaning her up from her mad dash through the Forest. He insists she stay with him and not go to a cold, impersonal hotel. (FFnet chapter 135.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 8432

PART EIGHTEEN

CXVIII: Confronting Albus 14 – 16 August 1957.Summary: Albus spends a few bleak days in his Tower. Wilspy returns and takes care of him. Gertrude returns on Friday and tries to find out from him what is wrong, but he won’t talk to her about it. Minerva returns home to her parents, who are surprised to see her. Her mother casts a healing spell on her cracked rib, then encourages her daughter to talk to her. Minerva is surprised to learn that her parents had suspected her feelings for quite some time; she expresses her feelings of hopelessness. Quin arrives at Hogwarts, and Gertie gives him access to the Headmaster’s Tower, where he confronts Albus. After the confrontation, Albus writes Minerva a letter, which Wilspy sends with Fawkes rather than an owl so that the Professor’s Professor Minerva will get it “quick quick.” (FFnet chapter 137.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, Rubeus Hagrid, FawkesWord Count: 6579

CXIX: Love Unceasing 16 August 1957.Summary: Minerva receives Albus’s letter, in which he encloses a poem he wrote several weeks before describing his feelings for her. She immediately Apparates to the Hogwarts gates and hastens to the Headmaster’s suite to see Albus. They talk and Albus suddenly realises that Minerva not only loves him, but that she loves him as he loves her. They talk longer, then fall asleep together on the sofa. (FFnet chapter 138.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagall, FawkesWord Count: 6341

CXX: The Morning Beyond Never 17 August 1957.Summary: Minerva wakes up next to Albus. They spend a lovely morning together. Albus is “kidnapped” and brought to lunch by two concerned colleagues, as he relates to Minerva when he meets her later in her rooms. (FFnet chapter 139.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 10992

CXXI: The MacAirt Pledge 17 August 1957.Summary: Minerva meets Quin for tea in Hogsmeade. She gives him some good advice regarding Alroy and he gives her some regarding Albus. Quin reads Albus’s letter to him. Minerva returns to Hogwarts to discover that Albus has a surprise for her. (FFnet chapter 140.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 8161

CXXII: Another Date for Minerva 17 August 1957.Summary: Albus brings Minerva to a concert in Glasgow performed by the Scottish National Orchestra, then he Apparates her to Diagon Alley for a late supper at Delancie’s. (FFnet chapter 141.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 7675

CXXV: Rematch 19 August 1957.Summary: Minerva gives Albus a foot rub and meets “Esmerelda.” The next evening, Albus and Minerva play a game of chess, discuss going away together for a few days, and have a “sprightly” cup of tea. (FFnet chapter 144.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 9270

CXXVI: Age Cannot Wither 19 August 1957.Summary: After their “sprightly” tea, Minerva becomes a bit sprightly, herself. Albus tells her more about Dervilia. They encounter Malcolm on his way to see the Nocturnal Dancing Umbratrope. (FFnet chapter 145.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 9698

CXXVII: An Interesting Idea 20 August 1957.Summary: Albus and Minerva discuss going away for a few days’ holiday; they act on Minerva’s “interesting idea” from earlier in the summer. (FFnet chapter 146.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 9093CXXVIII: Romance Interrupted 20 August 1957.Summary: Minerva tells Albus about Malcolm’s visit, but doesn’t mention their altercation. They have a romantic evening, although it does not proceed as smoothly as Minerva had wished. (FFnet chapter 147.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 8531

CXXX: The McGonagall Cliffs 21 August 1957.Summary: Albus and Minerva go to the McGonagall Cliffs. They see Merwyn and Egeria, then they take a walk. (FFnet chapter 149.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 11130

CXXXI: Realising Love 21 – 22 August 1957.Summary: Minerva and Albus spend the rest of the evening at the McGonagalls. The next day is dominated by Hogwarts business, but they have the evening to themselves. (FFnet chapter 150.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 8756

CXXXV: A Spree 24 August 1957.Summary: Minerva watches as Malcolm completes some tests of his skill, then looks on as he and Albus duel. (FFnet chapter 154.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 10675

The story A Holiday with the Headmasteroccurs between this chapter and the next. The T-rated version on FFnet is called A Little Holiday. You may read it in between the two chapters or after finishing the story, though certain events in A Holiday with the Headmaster are alluded to in future chapters of RaM.

CXXXVIII: Back to Hogwarts Wednesday, 28 August 1957.Summary: Minerva and Albus return from their holiday (See A Holiday with the Headmaster or A Little Holiday on FFnet); Minerva receives the news that Herbert McKenna, Siofre’s husband, is on his deathbed. Albus and Minerva try to make the transition to being back at Hogwarts again after their private time away. (FFnet chapter 157.)
Characters: Albus Dumbledore, Minerva McGonagallWord Count: 7592

~ The End ~

If you’re interested in the actual length of the story, it is 876,746 words (without the extra author’s notes and image tags on TPP) and 1428 pages in 11 point Times New Roman in WordPerfect, with each chapter beginning on a new page.

Notes: As I’ve mentioned elsewhere, RaM was written presuming an 1840 birthdate for Albus, based on the HP-Lexicon’s long-standing information on Albus Dumbledore, which, in turn, had been based on a previous statement by JKR that Albus was one hundred-fifty years old.

Other RaM-universe stories include “The Unsentimental Arithmancer” (rated T), “Obliging Minerva” (rated MA), A Holiday with the Headmaster (rated MA), An Act of Love, and Death’s Dominion, “Now is Perfect,” and “A Christmas for Aberforth,” all of which are at The Petulant Poetess as well as An Archive of Our Own. There is a T-rated version of A Holiday with the Headmaster called A Little Holiday, available on fanfiction.net. For the list of RaMverse stories and their suggested reading order, see this page.